= EN Communication

The Dicastery for Communication published a document as a “pastoral reflection on the interaction in social networks”, entitled Towards full presence. It is signed by the prefect of the dicastery, Paolo Ruffini, and by Msgr. Lucio Ruiz, secretary of that Vatican office. “Over the last two decades, our relationship with digital platforms has undergone an irreversible transformation”, the document states, mentioning that “young people – as well as older generations – are asking to be met where they are, including on social media, because the digital world is a significant part of young people’s identity and way of life.” The document warns about the pitfalls of digital highways, stating that “a social media divide is becoming ever more acute. Platforms that promise to build community and bring the world closer together have instead deepened various forms of division.” And in a pastoral way it affirms that “along the digital highways many people are hurt by division and hatred. We cannot ignore it. We cannot be just silent passersby. In order to humanize digital environments, we must not forget those who are left behind.” The Dicastery for Communication proposes, as Pope Francis often does, the parable of the Good Samaritan as a challenge to confront the culture of digital discarding, and to help each other get out of our comfort zone, making a concrete effort to go out to meet the other.  Discernment, prudence and prayer in interacting with each other The document invites Christian responsibility in the use of networks, noting that “from the perspective of faith, what to communicate and how to communicate is not only a practical question but also a spiritual one. Being present on social media platforms prompts discernment. Communicating well in these contexts is an exercise in prudence, and calls for prayerful consideration of how to engage with others.”  Marking the essential importance of personal relationships and a community spirit, it is expressed that “communication begins with connection and moves towards relationships, community, and communion. There is no communication without the truth of an encounter. To communicate is to establish relationships; it is to ‘be with’. To be community is to share with others fundamental truths about what one holds and what one is.” Towards full presence invites us to use social networks as an instrument of connection with others, in a positive way, giving guidance and transmitting hope, taking into account that the hunger for moral and spiritual guidance are “often not found in traditional places”. Below you may find the full document: . . DICASTERY FOR COMMUNICATION Towards Full Presence A Pastoral Reflection on Engagement with Social Media 1) Great strides have been made in the digital age, but one of the pressing issues yet to be addressed is how we, as individuals and as an ecclesial community, are to live in the digital world as “loving neighbours” who are genuinely present and attentive to each other on our common journey along the “digital highways”.  Advancements in technology have made new kinds of human interactions possible. In fact, the question is no longer whether to engage with the digital world, but how. Social media in particular is an environment where people interact, share experiences, and cultivate relationships unlike ever before. At the same time, however, as communication is increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, there arises the need to rediscover the human encounter at its very core. Over the last two decades, our relationship with digital platforms has undergone an irreversible transformation. An awareness has emerged that these platforms can evolve to become co-created spaces, not just something that we passively use. Young people – as well as older generations – are asking to be met where they are, including on social media, because the digital world is “a significant part of young people’s identity and way of life.”[1] 2) Many Christians are asking for inspiration and guidance since social media, which is one expression of digital culture, has had a profound impact on both our faith communities and our individual spiritual journeys.  Examples of faithful and creative engagement on social media abound around the world, from both local communities as well as individuals who give witness to their faith on these platforms, oftentimes more pervasively than the institutional Church. There are also numerous pastoral and educational initiatives developed by local Churches, movements, communities, congregations, universities, and individuals.  3) The universal Church has also addressed the digital reality. Since 1967, for example, the yearly World Communications Day messages have offered an ongoing reflection on the topic. Beginning in the 1990s, these messages addressed the use of the computer and since the early 2000s, they have consistently reflected on aspects of digital culture and social communication. Raising fundamental questions for digital culture, Pope Benedict XVI, in 2009, addressed the shifts in patterns of communication, saying that media should not only foster connections between people but also encourage them to commit themselves to relationships that promote “a culture of respect, dialogue and friendship.”[2] Subsequently, the Church consolidated the image of social media as “spaces”, not only “tools”, and called for the Good News to be proclaimed also in digital environments[3] For his part, Pope Francis has acknowledged that the digital world is “indistinguishable from the sphere of everyday life,” and it is changing the way humanity accumulates knowledge, disseminates information, and develops relationships.[4] 4) In addition to these reflections, the Church’s practical engagement with social media has also been effective.[5] One recent moment clearly demonstrated that digital media is a powerful tool for the Church’s ministry. On 27 March 2020, while still in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Saint Peter’s Square was empty but full of presence. A televised and live-streamed transmission allowed Pope Francis to lead a transformative global experience: a prayer and message addressed to a world in lockdown. In the midst of a health crisis that took the lives of millions, people around the world, quarantined and in isolation, found themselves profoundly united with each other and with the successor of Peter.[6] Through traditional media

An upcoming Jubilee event in Rome for digital missionaries and Catholic influencers will focus on evangelization through social media and seek to foster a sense of community and mission within the Church. By Vatican News In less than a year, Rome will host a Jubilee event gathering digital missionaries and Catholic influencers from around the globe. On 28 and 29 July 2025, just before the Youth Jubilee, those dedicated to evangelizing through social media will convene for their own Jubilee. This will be a reunion for many who first met at World Youth Day in Lisbon in 2023. During that event, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, addressed the young influencers in his homily and told them that “today, the Church needs you, dear digital influencers, to bring hope into these new social spaces that are social media and social networks.” Part of the Church’s missionary life Pope Francis has encouraged digital missionaries to see themselves as a community, “part of the Church’s missionary life, which has never feared to venture into new horizons and frontiers. With creativity and courage,” he said, “proclaim God’s Mercy.” This Jubilee aims to foster a sense of community and communion among digital missionaries. It will be a chance for this missionary community, united by a common mission, to gather and pass through the Holy Door during the Jubilee year. The first meeting of Digital Missionaries On July 13, Aparecida will host the first National Meeting of Digital Missionaries in Brazil. This event is promoted by the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications (Cepac) of the Brazilian Bishops’ Conference (CNBB), in collaboration with the Episcopal Commission for Youth, Santa Carona, Igrejeiros, Soul Shine Branding, Pascom Brasil, and Jovens Conectados. The meeting, themed “Cast the Nets” inspired by the Gospel of Luke, will run from 9 am to 6 pm. Embracing synodality in the digital realm Bishop Amilton Manoel da Silva of Guarapuava, a member of the Cepac CNBB, has highlighted the importance of journeying together, saying “we are living a special moment in the Church, with Pope Francis urging us to live synodality. This requires each of us to unite and seek unity in Christ Jesus, fostering communion among ourselves.” He notes that today’s digital landscape provides a unique opportunity for spreading God’s word and building the Kingdom, urging people to move beyond complacency and apathy and rediscover the wonder of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Catholic influencers and conversation in the Spirit The meeting will feature Monsignor Lucio Adrian Ruiz, Secretary of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication, along with other Cepac bishops and the Youth Commission. They will engage in discussions to strengthen the commitment to digital evangelization. The CNBB’s Commission for Social Communications has invited a small number of digital missionaries to this first meeting but plans to expand future gatherings to increase participation and mission efforts in the digital space. The event will include dialogue, listening, participation, and round tables using the Conversation in the Spirit methodology, which emphasises discernment and synodality. There will also be moments of spirituality, prayer, and Eucharistic celebration, providing an opportunity to deepen faith and communion among participants. Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-07/on-the-path-to-the-jubilee-of-digital-missionaries-and-catholic.html

All those working in the world of communication are especially invited to this jubilee event (journalists, media professionals, managers and editors of newspapers, Boards of Directors , video makers, graphic designers, copywriters, PR staff, social media managers, audio and video technicians, typographers, IT experts etc.) PROGRAM Friday 24th January                                                       – 17.30-19.00: Welcome and Penitential Liturgy• Lateran Palace – 19.00: International Mass for the feast of St. Francis de Sales• Basilica of St. John LateranSaturday 25 January                                                      – 8.00-9.30: Pilgrimage to the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica – 9.00-10.00: Welcome and Coffee• Atrium of the Paul VI Audience Hall – 10.00: Cultural meeting “In dialogue with Maria Ressa and Colum McCan”. Moderator: M. Calabresi• Paul VI Audience Hall• Performance by Maestro Uto Ughi – 12.30: Meeting with the Holy Father• Paul VI Audience Hall – 15.00-16.30: Dialogue with the city: meetings/events with a cultural and spiritual content – see below: – “Communication and Hope“In-depth meetings with the speakers who spoke on Saturday morning in the Paul VI Audience Hall• organized by the Dicastery for Communication / Signis• held at the Agostinianum• Language: English with translation into Spanish – “Jubilee of Hope. Uniting communicators for a shared journey” (participation by invitation only)• organized by the Dicastery for Communication / Young Communicators Program• Language: English with Spanish translation – “Journalism as a mission, giving voice to the voiceless in the outskirts of humankind“• Organized by the Vicariate of Rome• Lateran Palace / Aula Conciliazione• Language: Italian/English – “Journalism at the service of democracy“• organized by UCSI with the Italian Order of Journalists, Fnsi , Foreign Press, Copercom• held at the Headquarters of the National Order of Journalists• Language: Italian – “Communicating hope and peace“• Organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference’s Social Communications Office • Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere• Language: Italian – “Round table for communicators“• organized by the Pauline Family• Basilica of the Queen of the Apostles at Montagnola• Language: Italian  – “How the Catholic media can act as peacemakers“​​ Communication and mission• organized by the Fédération des Médias Catholiques• Church of San Luigi dei Francesi• Language: French Sunday 26th January                                                       – 10.00: Holy Mass on the “Sunday of the Word of God” presided over by the Holy Father• St. Peter’s Basilica with institution of new lectors ——————————— JUBILEE OF THE DIGITAL MISSIONARIES AND CATHOLIC INFLUENCERS On 28 and 29 July 2025, just before the Youth Jubilee, those dedicated to evangelizing through social media will convene for their own Jubilee. More info: https://www.schcom.org/on-the-path-to-the-jubilee-of-digital-missionaries-and-catholic-influencers/ REGISTRATION FOR ALL EVENTS OF THE JUBILEE 2025: https://register.iubilaeum2025.va Source: https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/pellegrinaggio/calendario-giubileo/GrandiEventi/Giubileo-del-Mondo-della-Comunicazione.html

Three Vatican officials hold an online prayer vigil at the tomb of St. Peter to conclude the Digital Synod initiative, encouraging thousands of Catholic digital missionaries in their service to the Church in the key of synodality. By Edoardo Giribaldi Digital missionaries met online on Sunday afternoon, gathering virtually and in person around the tomb of the Apostle Peter. The event was held on World Mission Sunday in the Clementine Chapel beneath St. Peter’s Basilica and bore the theme: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the Churches” (Rev 2:29). Dr. Paolo Ruffini and Msgr. Lucio Ruiz, Prefect and Secretary of the Dicastery for Communication, respectively, were joined by Bishop Luis Marín de San Martín, Undersecretary of the Secretariat for the Synod. Together in the digital mission Msgr. Ruiz, Secretary of the Dicastery for Communication (our parent organization), announced the upcoming Jubilee for Missionaries and Catholic Digital Influencers, which he said will be held on July 28-29, 2025, just ahead of the Jubilee for Youth. He praised the work done by the Digital Synod and the listening process that emerged from it, and noted that significant progress has been made. As the initiative comes to an end, said Msgr. Ruiz, “The Church Listens to You” project will continue its mission in digital spaces, always guided by unity. He noted that a “Church that goes forth” is made up of disciples who seek out others to encounter, heal, and proclaim. “Let us continue to dream together,” Msgr. Ruiz concluded, “and to do beautiful things that show God’s joy in a world that needs hope.” Missionary ‘pioneers’ of a new world Bishop Marín De San Martín then recalled that Jesus is not a simple avatar or digital identity but a “living person.” He urged digital missionaries to embrace the theme of World Mission Sunday, which is to “Go and invite everyone to the banquet,” and to abandon their own comfort zones in order to bear witness to Christian joy. Their mission, he noted, should never seek to create cliques but rather to engage with “the dust of the road and the mud of history.” Testimony of digital influencers During the event, several young influencers shared their prayer intentions in various languages. Two Lebanese young people who are twins explained to participants how their lives had been touched by the work of digital missionaries, saying they are now commited to sharing “the beauty of Christianity” online in the Middle East. Participants were invited to write down a few words that have characterized their missionary work, with examples including fraternity, listening, joy, pain, happiness, thirst, and need for God. A mission to be carried out with humility Later in the event, Dr. Ruffini invited Catholic missionaries serving on digital platforms to draw inspiration from the life of St. Paul. He urged them to take responsibility for the wounds afflicting our modern society and to do their part to heal them. “May the Lord help us to be the salt and leaven of our time, with the same humility as salt and leaven,” he said. The Apostle to the Gentiles, noted the Prefect, truly became “all things to all people” by being among the people, “exactly the opposite of a functionary, a bureaucrat, or a clever planner.” Dr. Ruffini noted that St. Paul served the Lord with humility and tears. He invited young missionaries to follow a similar path by setting aside personal interests, rejecting the desire for power, and always choosing “communion over distinction.” Msgr. Ruiz concluded the Digital Synod event with a final prayer and a missionary mandate: “Go, even unto the ends of the earth!” Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-10/synod-digital-missionaries-sunday-saint-peters-tomb-event.html